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| Portable Headphone Amps Discussion of portable headphone amps. |
01-02-2007, 05:02 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
Reviewerus Prolificus
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 11,338
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morph201
LOL! My wallet is thanking you for that review!! 
Also, the test on the GV5 was that done using the elpac 24v and I assume there were 400+ hours on the Hornet??? |
No, for ALL the amps the reviews were done operating on batteries. And yes, more than 400 hours on the Hornet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by digihead
Fantastic review. Thanks Skylab! Out of curiosity, how many hours did your Tomahawk have on it when you listened for the shootout?
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About 120 hours. It didn't change very much past 50 hours, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by j24
Skylab, great review. What about the AE-1 or the new AE-2? Do you have one around to add this amp to the review?
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Sorry, I have never heard an AE-1 or AE-2. And I did not include the Headroom Total Airhead or the Meier Porta Corda III because I no longer own them, and this review was done only on amps I had ON HAND.
Thanks for all the nice comments folks, it makes writing these reviews (which take a very long time) a pleasure.
__________________
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of PM's I have been receiving in connection with my reviews, I no longer have the time to answer PM's from people with zero posts. Please read head-fi first before asking questions.
Team GO-U-NORTHWESTERN
Pics: Main Home Rig; Bedside Rig; Office Rig; Portable Rig;
Headphones: JVC HP-DX1000, HA-RX900; Headphile Deep Cup Darth Beyers VXD3,VXD4; Beyerdynamic DT990/600 (Manufaktur) DT770/600 (Manufaktur), DT880/600 Balanced (Manufaktur); HiFi-Man HE-2 Planar Magnetic; Sennheiser PXC-350; Shure SRH840
Home amps: Ray Samuels Audio Stealth (Mullard ECC32/CV4003); Decware Zen CSP-2 (Amperex BB 6DJ8/Sophia Princess 274B); Darkvoice 337 (GEC 6AS7G's/Tung-Sol mesh plate 6SJ7GTs); Wheatfield Audio HA-2 (Mullard ECC32/GEC 6AS7G/GEC U52); Ming-Da MC84-C 07 (Mullard CV4004/EL84/EM87); Audiotailor Jade (GEC 6AS7G/Sylvania 5751); J. Sound Lab Headphone (Mullard 12AT7); Audio-GD Phoenix; Musical Paradise MP-301 (Ken-Rad 6V6GT/Mullard 6AU6)
Portable Amps: Ray Samuels Audio P-51 Mustang; Decware ZenHead; Meier Audio 2Move, XXS; Qables iQube
Sources: Denon DP59L table + Clearaudio Maestro Wood / VPI Scoutmaster + Benz Micro Wood L2 > Audio Electronics PH-1 DJH Phono Preamp; Music Hall 25.2 DAC; Denon DVD-5900;Red Wine Audio iMod iPod (Apple Lossless) & ALO VCap dock; Sony SCD-555ES SACD player
Loudspeaker system: Krell KAV250 Preamp>Sunfire Signature II Power amp > B&W Nautilus 800 Signatures + Velodyne FSR-1500/Martin Logan Descent
Tube testers: B&K Dyna-quick 650 & Dyna-Jet 606
Head-fi feedback
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01-02-2007, 05:05 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
Reviewerus Prolificus
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo
Hi skylab and thanks for the review. I have compared all the same amps (and some more) and I agree with your 4 top rankings. However I do have a couple of questions/comments.
1. Which OP-Amp on the LaRocco PRII? I as because with the AD744 it will sound even better. I do agree with you that it is huge and for some a pain to carry on a daily basis. But it sounds so gooood!
2. I would have ranked the Go- Vibe 5 as number 5. I realize we have different ears so different rankings.
3. The one area I disagree with you is on what I take as your dissing of Dr. Xin's amps. Even though he is a horrible communicator and time does not mean the same to him as for the rest of us I have to say the sound of his amps is IMO the best. It is a pity you did not include one in your review. Perhaps when I get my Supermacro LE I can send it to you for an audition.
Thanks for the nice review.
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Hey Mr. Arroyo, thanks for your comments. My PRII does not have the AD744. I have ordered a PRII mk II, which has a gain switch and the AD744, but it isn't available yet. I think that will cement the PRII at the top amp (which i already feel it is).
Also, I did not dis Xin amps. I like Xin amps, and I commented that I thought the SMIV was a very, very good amp. But the constant revisions/updating, plus the poor communication from Dr. Xin, just means that Xin amps are not for me. Others may actually enjoy this sort of mystic process
__________________
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of PM's I have been receiving in connection with my reviews, I no longer have the time to answer PM's from people with zero posts. Please read head-fi first before asking questions.
Team GO-U-NORTHWESTERN
Pics: Main Home Rig; Bedside Rig; Office Rig; Portable Rig;
Headphones: JVC HP-DX1000, HA-RX900; Headphile Deep Cup Darth Beyers VXD3,VXD4; Beyerdynamic DT990/600 (Manufaktur) DT770/600 (Manufaktur), DT880/600 Balanced (Manufaktur); HiFi-Man HE-2 Planar Magnetic; Sennheiser PXC-350; Shure SRH840
Home amps: Ray Samuels Audio Stealth (Mullard ECC32/CV4003); Decware Zen CSP-2 (Amperex BB 6DJ8/Sophia Princess 274B); Darkvoice 337 (GEC 6AS7G's/Tung-Sol mesh plate 6SJ7GTs); Wheatfield Audio HA-2 (Mullard ECC32/GEC 6AS7G/GEC U52); Ming-Da MC84-C 07 (Mullard CV4004/EL84/EM87); Audiotailor Jade (GEC 6AS7G/Sylvania 5751); J. Sound Lab Headphone (Mullard 12AT7); Audio-GD Phoenix; Musical Paradise MP-301 (Ken-Rad 6V6GT/Mullard 6AU6)
Portable Amps: Ray Samuels Audio P-51 Mustang; Decware ZenHead; Meier Audio 2Move, XXS; Qables iQube
Sources: Denon DP59L table + Clearaudio Maestro Wood / VPI Scoutmaster + Benz Micro Wood L2 > Audio Electronics PH-1 DJH Phono Preamp; Music Hall 25.2 DAC; Denon DVD-5900;Red Wine Audio iMod iPod (Apple Lossless) & ALO VCap dock; Sony SCD-555ES SACD player
Loudspeaker system: Krell KAV250 Preamp>Sunfire Signature II Power amp > B&W Nautilus 800 Signatures + Velodyne FSR-1500/Martin Logan Descent
Tube testers: B&K Dyna-quick 650 & Dyna-Jet 606
Head-fi feedback
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01-02-2007, 05:22 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Sylab, thanks for the effort put into the comparison review. This type of review is very helpful to those of us considering purchasing one of the amps reviewed. With respect to the comment on the ranking of the Headphonia amp, if anything I was impressed with high it ranked given the quality of the competing amps.
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01-02-2007, 05:43 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,350
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Thanks Skylab~
I've been waiting for this review since Christmas! I think the overall review was great and hope you add the Xtra in soon as that was the amp I was debating on getting. I still dream of the Hornet-M, but I just don't have the funds tog it yet. =T
__________________
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Stello DP200 -> AKG K701 || Grado RS-2 || Grado HF-2
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01-02-2007, 06:00 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 442
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Thanks for the great review. For those of us who have yet to purchase their first portable amp, and have had no experience of any, this is a great help.
Must resist urge to buy RSA Tomahawk...
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01-02-2007, 06:02 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 52
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Skylab -- thanks very much for the review -- a portable amp is next on my list, and I've been reading your posts (along with Andrea, mrarroyo and others), trying to work out which one I want.
I also would like to see how the AE-2, 1HA and Xin -IV amps fit into the picture. But I understand this was not intended to be exhaustive -- just indicative.
Since I have a TBH 2006, it'd help me personally to see how you judge that portable amp in the mix -- just for a baseline.
Two more variables which could be included if you wanted to grow the review -- opamp selection (where possible), and headphone choice (I'm an AKG fan - K701, K240S, K271, and Shure E4c, E3c -- with a cheap HD580 coming in the mail).
I think my shortlist is down to Hornet, 1HA, AE-2, Headphonia. Maybe Xin. I find the DAC incredibly useful. Most of my listening is from a laptop via the TBH both at work and at home. It would probably make more sense for me to buy 2 desktop amps with DACs (eg Meier's new one), and stop carrying the TBH around...
Either way -- it might help others to have two lists -- portable amps in general, and then a list of portable amps with integrated DAC. I suspect, based on your previous posts, you'd recommend the Headphonia hands-down as the amp+DAC combo to pick?
Thanks again Skylab -- very much appreciated!
Michael
(hmmm. Heed Canamp with integrated DAC? maybe I should email them...)
__________________
Michael
Santa Cruz
Sources: Powerbook G4, IBM T42, 4G iPod 40G, 4G iMod Photo 60G, Technics SL-1200MkII+Shure M97xE
Transports/DACs: 2006 Total Bithead, Edirol UA-1EX, Apple Airport Express, Zhaolu D2C (3xLM4562)
Amplifiers: 2006 TBH, Musical Fidelity Tempest, Meier Headfive, HK AVR-85
Headphones: AKG K240S, K271, K701, Shure E3c, E4c, Beyerdynamic DT290, Sennheiser HD580
Speakers: B&W DM580, B&W Nautilus 805
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01-02-2007, 06:07 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO
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It seems on the Headphonia thread ( FS: ($15 + shipping) Beat up Sony MDR-D66SL (sonically perfect)) that some changes were made to the design after some feedback (can't really remember them, though). Do you know what version you tested?
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01-02-2007, 06:21 PM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2004
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Nice review thanks for making the time and effort to publish it here. I appreciate that you reviewed amps you own and did not include others you once owned as reviews from memory are unfair in my view.
As you have the Corda HS2 MkII SE and the Larocco PRII I was a little curious about heir comparisontoo as the PRII was once on my shopping list but dropped off due to the initial supply/waiting issues.
Will also lookout for your views on the diablo when it arrives.
Steve
__________________
PC Rig = X-Fi> Benchmark DAC1> Rudistor NX-33 Balanced> Moon Audio Silver Dragon Balanced> Senn HD650s
Main Rig = Creek CD50> Stello DA100> Corda HA2 Mkii SE> Grado HHF-1
Portable Rig = Ipod Classic/iTouch> Hornet/Pico> ACS T2
Floating Cans = Headphile Woodied/cabled MS1s or MS2is & Grado RS1s
Feedback
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01-02-2007, 06:40 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: St Louis
Posts: 51
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Thanks for the reviews Skylab.
__________________
Portable Set Up: 5G 30gig Ipod, ALO copper dock, RSA Tomahawk, UE superfi 5pro, Grado SR 225 (I think I'm done for now)
Pre Head-Fi: 5G Ipod & Sony EX51
I only came here looking for a little canal phone upgrade advice.
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01-02-2007, 08:39 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
Reviewerus Prolificus
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 11,338
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bungle
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Yes, I have the first version, although Headphonia is sending me a second version to try, and I get to keep the one I like best! Pretty good customer service there. I will post impressions when the second one arrives.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StevieDvd
Nice review thanks for making the time and effort to publish it here. I appreciate that you reviewed amps you own and did not include others you once owned as reviews from memory are unfair in my view.
As you have the Corda HS2 MkII SE and the Larocco PRII I was a little curious about heir comparisontoo as the PRII was once on my shopping list but dropped off due to the initial supply/waiting issues.
Will also lookout for your views on the diablo when it arrives.
Steve
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As much as I like the PRII, the Corda HA-2 MkII/SE is the best amp I have ever heard, hands down (although I do have an Opera on the way ).
__________________
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of PM's I have been receiving in connection with my reviews, I no longer have the time to answer PM's from people with zero posts. Please read head-fi first before asking questions.
Team GO-U-NORTHWESTERN
Pics: Main Home Rig; Bedside Rig; Office Rig; Portable Rig;
Headphones: JVC HP-DX1000, HA-RX900; Headphile Deep Cup Darth Beyers VXD3,VXD4; Beyerdynamic DT990/600 (Manufaktur) DT770/600 (Manufaktur), DT880/600 Balanced (Manufaktur); HiFi-Man HE-2 Planar Magnetic; Sennheiser PXC-350; Shure SRH840
Home amps: Ray Samuels Audio Stealth (Mullard ECC32/CV4003); Decware Zen CSP-2 (Amperex BB 6DJ8/Sophia Princess 274B); Darkvoice 337 (GEC 6AS7G's/Tung-Sol mesh plate 6SJ7GTs); Wheatfield Audio HA-2 (Mullard ECC32/GEC 6AS7G/GEC U52); Ming-Da MC84-C 07 (Mullard CV4004/EL84/EM87); Audiotailor Jade (GEC 6AS7G/Sylvania 5751); J. Sound Lab Headphone (Mullard 12AT7); Audio-GD Phoenix; Musical Paradise MP-301 (Ken-Rad 6V6GT/Mullard 6AU6)
Portable Amps: Ray Samuels Audio P-51 Mustang; Decware ZenHead; Meier Audio 2Move, XXS; Qables iQube
Sources: Denon DP59L table + Clearaudio Maestro Wood / VPI Scoutmaster + Benz Micro Wood L2 > Audio Electronics PH-1 DJH Phono Preamp; Music Hall 25.2 DAC; Denon DVD-5900;Red Wine Audio iMod iPod (Apple Lossless) & ALO VCap dock; Sony SCD-555ES SACD player
Loudspeaker system: Krell KAV250 Preamp>Sunfire Signature II Power amp > B&W Nautilus 800 Signatures + Velodyne FSR-1500/Martin Logan Descent
Tube testers: B&K Dyna-quick 650 & Dyna-Jet 606
Head-fi feedback
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01-02-2007, 10:08 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Thanks very much for the great review, Skylab. Multiproduct reviews are a tough assignment and your input is much appreciated.
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01-02-2007, 10:39 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab
Yes, I have the first version, although Headphonia is sending me a second version to try, and I get to keep the one I like best! Pretty good customer service there. I will post impressions when the second one arrives.
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I think the main difference is changing the opamp from LM6171 to AD8397. Also, he's adding charging via USB. Do you remember anything else? I'm looking forward to your impressions. I think I'm leaning towards the Headphonia over the Bithead at this point - seems like a great little multipurpose amp.
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01-02-2007, 10:43 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
Reviewerus Prolificus
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bungle
I think the main difference is changing the opamp from LM6171 to AD8397. Also, he's adding charging via USB. Do you remember anything else? I'm looking forward to your impressions. I think I'm leaning towards the Headphonia over the Bithead at this point - seems like a great little multipurpose amp.
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I'm not sure that the USB charging circuit has been implemented. Pretty sure all I am getting is the new op-amp.
__________________
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of PM's I have been receiving in connection with my reviews, I no longer have the time to answer PM's from people with zero posts. Please read head-fi first before asking questions.
Team GO-U-NORTHWESTERN
Pics: Main Home Rig; Bedside Rig; Office Rig; Portable Rig;
Headphones: JVC HP-DX1000, HA-RX900; Headphile Deep Cup Darth Beyers VXD3,VXD4; Beyerdynamic DT990/600 (Manufaktur) DT770/600 (Manufaktur), DT880/600 Balanced (Manufaktur); HiFi-Man HE-2 Planar Magnetic; Sennheiser PXC-350; Shure SRH840
Home amps: Ray Samuels Audio Stealth (Mullard ECC32/CV4003); Decware Zen CSP-2 (Amperex BB 6DJ8/Sophia Princess 274B); Darkvoice 337 (GEC 6AS7G's/Tung-Sol mesh plate 6SJ7GTs); Wheatfield Audio HA-2 (Mullard ECC32/GEC 6AS7G/GEC U52); Ming-Da MC84-C 07 (Mullard CV4004/EL84/EM87); Audiotailor Jade (GEC 6AS7G/Sylvania 5751); J. Sound Lab Headphone (Mullard 12AT7); Audio-GD Phoenix; Musical Paradise MP-301 (Ken-Rad 6V6GT/Mullard 6AU6)
Portable Amps: Ray Samuels Audio P-51 Mustang; Decware ZenHead; Meier Audio 2Move, XXS; Qables iQube
Sources: Denon DP59L table + Clearaudio Maestro Wood / VPI Scoutmaster + Benz Micro Wood L2 > Audio Electronics PH-1 DJH Phono Preamp; Music Hall 25.2 DAC; Denon DVD-5900;Red Wine Audio iMod iPod (Apple Lossless) & ALO VCap dock; Sony SCD-555ES SACD player
Loudspeaker system: Krell KAV250 Preamp>Sunfire Signature II Power amp > B&W Nautilus 800 Signatures + Velodyne FSR-1500/Martin Logan Descent
Tube testers: B&K Dyna-quick 650 & Dyna-Jet 606
Head-fi feedback
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01-02-2007, 11:00 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus Prolificus:
Head-Fi's most prolific poster.
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any chance the OP can become a featured review sticky? it would be very helpful and shouldn't go out of date too soon.
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01-02-2007, 11:02 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab
I'm not sure that the USB charging circuit has been implemented. Pretty sure all I am getting is the new op-amp.
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They are, but maybe your new one came before that change.
From headphonia.com:
Quote:
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This version is getting a re-design in the moment to comprise a battery charing from USB port. Shipping will be in February 2007!
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